Gardening Days

The stay at home order in NC has been extended to May 8th. Before the governor made the announcement I felt like it would be extended but happy to see the stay home thing is being extended by just a week or so from the original April 29th date. Looks like my dentist appointment will be wiped out by the extension. The journey of the second extraction will be postponed and the next step in an implant that began in January will also be put aside for yet a little while. Meanwhile, that just means more time to save money for the procedures. That is how the redneck flowerbed came about. Knowing the rubberized mulch costs more than regular mulch, along with labor costs, the flowerbed came under home project jurisdiction. Nathan and crew could have knocked this out in a day or so but with the slow and steady progress and the reworking of a few ideas, the flowerbed that began in earnest around March 9th is just about completed. By nature, I am not a jigsaw puzzle person but making my ideas work has been like a giant puzzle. Because the rubberized mulch season is coming to an end, some of the reviewed ideas will have to be implemented next spring. And yes, some weeds are cropping up between the cracks but nothing at all like they usually are in that flowerbed.

With the rainy day I also worked on the changing of the season clothing exchange. This is a time when I cull out things that probably won't be worn in the summer, but with no where to take the clothes, some of that is just being set aside for now. Still have work to do but now with the fog lifting and the light rain ending, the call of outdoors is too strong for resistance.

The past two weeks Roy has been able to go to the office one day a week but that now is coming to an end. As they try to determine what groups can safely come back because their jobs are more efficient from the office than home, think like engineering, no longer can employees randomly come downtown one or two days a week. You can hear the cabin fever in Roy's voice and he says working from home takes more energy than physically being in the office. With all the remodeling they've been doing in their building, that is probably coming to a stop. People were being officed in smaller spaces and tighter quarters. Thankfully, Roy's group can work from home and are able to do their jobs. Since he doesn't have commute time now, he rides his bike after work around Spring Lake and the water feature next to our home.
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Good Tuesday morning! Looks like most things that have been recently planted made it through the frost advisory. These past few days there has been a confidence to begin getting things into the ground. Since Reems Creek has been closed, so many of the plantings this year will begin as seeds in the dirt. Sunday I cleaned out three small flowerbeds in the back and planted wildflowers, dahlias, and some other flower whose name escapes me right now. Close by the flowerbed by the driveway I planted three peony plants. On the other side of the driveway I planted the new azalea, burning bush shrubs and then added a few more perennials around the cherry trees. Also, I cannot tell a lie, I didn't chop down the cherry trees. I put out some weed poison and I'll check on that today. I also have one more raised flowerbed to put together and that might get done today as well. I had given some thought to driving down to Strawberry Hill but punted that idea into next week. Ducketts Produce in Canton opens on Friday, so maybe I will only go there for strawberries.

Mike the mower man was here yesterday, so it is a joy to be in the yard with the grass cut. Everything is looking good garden wise and this morning got the shipping confirmation for the last of the rubberized mulch pathways. That will finish out that portion of the project. Reems Creek is supposed to be open again, so today might hold a quick look see, of course complete with mask.

The snowball bushes are bursting with snowball blooms and flowers. The dogwoods are starting to leaf out and the red bud trees have finished red budding for this season. I am fortunate to have spring in the front yard but I have missed driving here and there throughout the countryside seeing all the beauty therein. I can't complain, after having such a pretty view out the front porch. We added several bird feeders in the back and the birds have been, dare I say, flocking for the grub. So many gold finches this year. I have also seen blue birds a little more and about the same amount of cardinals.

The list of to do is getting checked off. Added an additional security camera on the front porch yesterday. It was a little more complicated than the first one but finally, with some patience, went online. Things like washing the car, putting up books, getting the new desk area in shape in the bonus room....nothing earth shattering, just stuff that has needed to be done.

Well, this has been the gardening catch up. It has been particularly soothing to the soul. Maybe, because this year it hasn't been rushed and the labor is more appreciated cause my back and feet can tell a few stories of these gardening days.